INDIAN WELLS REPORT: ATP FINALS WEEKEND

We have the last two quarter finals playing out today: Nadal vs. del Potro and Djokovic vs. Roddick. Obviously, we’re looking at the Nole vs. A-Rod match to determine who will play Rafa in the semis. And it should be a cracker of a match – both have been in good form lately and their head-to-head is tied 2-2. Their last two meetings have both sparked controversy, with Nole retiring against Roddick in the Aussie Open Quarterfinals and getting nasty with the New York crowd after taking the American down at last year’s US Open.

Here’s a clip of the NY scene, just for fun:

Roddick says that there are no hard feelings anymore:

“I think the thing that needs to be recognized is, regardless of our history, I think we’ve always respected each other’s games, and I think we respect what the other has accomplished. . .I think we understand in this game, when that much is at stake, you’re going to have your rows with

people. . .Are we best friends? Probably not. But I think we have a lot of respect for each other.”(quote: MSN)

In other words, “Respect this, Novak!”

Roger Federer and Andy Murray are already set to meet in the other semi-final after straight sets wins over Verdasco and Ljubicic, respectively. I’m dying to see how Federer fares – will he be able to improve his dismal record against the Scot? We’re talking a 5-2 head-to-head in Murray’s favor, with Andy winning the last three times they’ve played (Fed bested him in the NYC final.)

Both guys are noted tennis tacticians, but Andy Murray has the more defined game plan:

“Obviously if I want to beat him I need to play one of my best matches. . . It’s important to serve solid and make a lot of balls and not feel like you have to do, anything special on each point to win against him. You know, if you watch the way that Nadal plays against him, it’s not like every point it’s doing something unbelievable. He just plays solid, solid, solid crosscourt balls to the backhand, and it obviously works.”

Roger’s still figuring it out:

“He’s young, so still have to figure him out a little bit. He’s changing his game as time goes by. Every time you play him he plays a bit different. Whereas for me it’s different. He knows what to expect. That’s the advantage of a youngster. There are disadvantages that they’re a bit more inconsistent, but he’s been very consistent at a young age, which is impressive to see. So I’m aware that he has beaten me more than I’ve beaten him, but on big occasions, I think I came through. I have to build on that and make sure I play tough and good match against him. Anything else is not going to do the job against him.”

Hmm, playing “tough and good” doesn’t sound like a very clear strategy to me. Let’s hope Roger’s playing his cards close to his chest. . .or that Darren Cahill comes back to him after Fernando’s lame performance last night.